On 4th September, Rick Scott, Florida's Governor announced a state of emergency. About a hundred members of the Florida National Guard were assigned on duty to help in the preparations. By September 8, all 7000 troops were asked to be on duty. South-West Florida officials expected about 4.5 meters of high sea surges. On this probability, Scott said,"Fifteen feet is devastating and will cover your house. Do not think the storm is over when the wind slows down. In Miami, well-known Guardian reporter, Richard Luscombe took cover with his family in an interior closet away from the exterior doors and walls. He got regular warnings on his phone.
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The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, on 6th September, commanded emergency evacuations for the residents of US1 in the east. In the state's history, it is the largest evacuation ever. A local state of emergency was declared in Tampa City lying on Florida's west coast. The Walt Disney World Resort was absolutely kept closed. Disney Springs, the theme and water parks all remains closed until 10th September. Even the Orlando theme parks, Sea World Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort were all closed. Dennis Lehane, Robin Zander, Dennis Lehane, John Cena, and the Hogans, to name a few are celebrities whose properties are also in the path of Irma in Tampa Bay.
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Category 5, Irma hurricane affect the northern Leeward Islands. As Irma hit the Caribbean, it went on to destroy everything that fell before its path. Several small islands in the Caribbean are destroyed and there is heavy flooding. Hollywood actor Johny Depp's private island located in the Bahamas falls right in the path of the cyclone. According to Forbes magazine, the island is worth $3.6 millions, paid by Depp in 2004.Richard Branson, the billionaire businessman also had to take cover in his winery on his private island, which has managed to sustain "extensive damage."Eddie Murphy and David Copperfield are other celebs whose islands were slammed by Irma.
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On 9th September as of 11 p.m EDT, Hurricane Irma was present within 10 nautical miles of 23.5°N 81.0°W which was about 90 miles southeast of Key West, Florida and 30 miles northeast of Varadero, Cuba. 105 knots was the maximum wind sustained.